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Earth Science Unit One Terms
N/A
76
Geology
10th Grade
10/04/2011

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Term
Astronomy
Definition
Study of the universe beyond the earth.
Term
Atmosphere
Definition
Thick blanket of gases surrounding the earth.
Term
Background Radiation
Definition
Low levels of energy evenly distributed throughout the universe.
Term
Big Bang Theory
Definition
Theory that all matter and energy in the universe was compressed into an extremely small volume that suddenly, billions of year ago, began expanding in all directions.
Term
Biodegradable
Definition
Able to be broken down into component parts by microorganisms.
Term
Biosphere
Definition
Ecosystem encompassing all the life on earth and the physical environment that supports it.
Term
Doppler Effect
Definition
Apparent shift in the wave length of energy, such as a sound moving away from or toward an observer.
Term
Earth Science
Definition
Study of the earth and the universe around it.
Term
Ecology
Definition
Study of the complex relationships between living things and their environment.
Term
Element
Definition
Substance that has a characteristic set of physical and chemical properties.
Term
Experimentation
Definition
Process by which a scientific procedure is carried out according to certain guidelines.
Term
Geology
Definition
Study of the origin, history, and structure of the solid earth and the processes that shape it.
Term
Geosphere
Definition
The solid earth.
Term
Hydrosphere
Definition
All the earth's water.
Term
Hypothesis
Definition
Possible explanation of a problem that is based on facts.
Term
Measurement
Definition
Comparison of a property of an object or phenomenon with a standard unit.
Term
Meterology
Definition
Study of the earth's atmosphere.
Term
Observation
Definition
Act of using the senses to gather information.
Term
Oceanography
Definition
Study of the earth's oceans.
Term
Pollution
Definition
Contamination of the environment with waste products or impurities.
Term
Scientific Law
Definition
Rule that correctly describes a natural phenomenon.
Term
Scientific Methods
Definition
Organized, logical approaches to scientific research.
Term
Spectroscope
Definition
Instrument that splits white light into a band of colors.
Term
Spectrum
Definition
Band of the various colors of light.
Term
Theory
Definition
Hypothesis or set of hypotheses supported by the results of experimentation and observation.
Term
Variable
Definition
Factor in an experiment that can be changed.
Term
Wavelength
Definition
Distance between wave crests.
Term
Aphelion
Definition
Point in the orbit of a planet at which the planet is farthest from the sun.
Term
Autumnal Equinox
Definition
Beginning of the fall season.
Term
Axis
Definition
Imaginary straight line running through the earth from pole to pole.
Term
Core
Definition
Center of a planetary body, such as the earth.
Term
Crust
Definition
Outermost zone of the solid earth.
Term
Daylight Saving Time
Definition
System in which clocks are set one hour ahead of standard time from April to October.
Term
Geosynchrous Orbit
Definition
Orbit directly above the earth's equator and moving in the direction of the earth's rotation.
Term
Gravity
Definition
Force of attraction between all matter in the universe.
Term
International Date Line
Definition
Line running from north to south through the Pacific Ocean where the date changes from one day to the next.
Term
Law of Gravitation
Definition
Principle that the force of attraction between two objects depends on the masses and the distance between the objects.
Term
Magnetosphere
Definition
A region of space that is affected by the earth's magnetic field.
Term
Mantle
Definition
Zone of rock beneath the earth's crust.
Term
Moho
Definition
The Mohorovicic discontinuity boundary between the earth's crust and mantle.
Term
Perihelion
Definition
Point in the orbit of a planet at which it is closest to the sun.
Term
Polar Orbit
Definition
Orbit that passes over the earth's North & South poles.
Term
Precession
Definition
Slow circular motion of the earth's axis as it turns in space that traces a circle in space every 26,000 years.
Term
Revolution
Definition
Movement of a planet around the sun.
Term
Rotation
Definition
Spinning of a planet on its axis.
Term
Satellite
Definition
Object in orbit around a body with a larger mass.
Term
Seismic Wave
Definition
Vibration that travels through the earth.
Term
Shadow Zone
Definition
Locatio on the earth's surface where no seismic waves or only P-waves can be detected.
Term
Standard Time Zone
Definition
One of 24 regions of the earth in which noon is set as the time when the sun is highest over the center of the region.
Term
Summer Solstice
Definition
The beginning of summer.
Term
Vernal Equinox
Definition
The beginning of spring.
Term
Winter Solstice
Definition
The beginning of winter.
Term
Cartography
Definition
Science of map making.
Term
Conic Projection
Definition
Map projection in which the meridians converge at the poles; they appear as equally spaced, concentric curves.
Term
Contour Interval
Definition
Difference in elevation between one contour line and the next.
Term
Contour Line
Definition
Line on a map connecting points with the same elevation.
Term
Geomagnetic Pole
Definition
Point on the earth's surface above a pole of the earth's imaginary internal magnet.
Term
Gnomonic Projection
Definition
Map projection in which the parallels appear as unevenly spaced concentric circles, the meridians appear as straight lines radiating from a central point, and all other great circles.
Term
Great Circle
Definition
Any circle that divides the globe in half.
Term
Index Contour
Definition
Every fifth contour line on a topographic map that is printed bolder for reference.
Term
Latitude
Definition
Angular distance north or south of the equator.
Term
Legend
Definition
List of map symbols and their meanings.
Term
Longitude
Definition
Angular distance north or south of the equator.
Term
Magnetic Declination
Definition
Angle between the direction of the earth's geographic pole and the direction in which a compass needle points.
Term
Map Projection
Definition
Flat map that represents a three-dimensional figure.
Term
Mean Sea Level
Definition
Point midway between the highest and lowest tide levels of the ocean.
Term
Mercator Projection
Definition
Map projection in which the meridians appear as straight, parallel, and evenly spaced lines.
Term
Meridian
Definition
Semicircle on the earth that runs from pole to pole.
Term
Parallel
Definition
Any circle that runs east and west around the earth parallel to the equator.
Term
Polyconic Projection
Definition
Map made by fitting together a series of conic projections of adjoining areas.
Term
Prime Meridian
Definition
The meridian that passes through Greenwich, England, designated as 0°
Term
Relief
Definition
Difference in elevation between the highest and lowest points of an area.
Term
Scale
Definition
Relationship between distance shown on a map and actual distance.
Term
Topographic Map
Definition
Map that shows surface features of the earth.
Term
Topography
Definition
Surface features of the earth.
Term
True North
Definition
Direction of the geographic North Pole
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